Alphacariensis or hyale please ?

[Chris Jackson]

Hi, can someone identify this butterfly for me please, photos taken in the South of France at the beginning of June; I'm torn between alphacariensis and hyale. I'm sure my fluke open-wing shot is a dead give-away to someone in the know. It is the quantity of black colouring that is throwing me. This individual was all alone, just blowing by. There were no similar specimens in the vicinity. Thanks. Chris.

[Padfield]

Neither - that's a female clouded yellow, form helice.

As you say, the extent and pattern of black on the upperside is quite wrong for either of the 'pale' specices.

Guy

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks Guy. I can now put my records straight. Chris